91快色

Women play critical roles across U91快色 campuses, as faculty, staff, researchers, students and leaders. And behind these women are donors and volunteers whose passion and generosity contribute to their successes 鈥� and help shape our university and community. Here are just a few of those making a difference, sharing why they give back and what it means to them. 

Nannette Ho-Covernton

"I embraced the university because it embraced me, setting me up for success in my career. When I started giving to the Schulich School of Engineering, supporting women in STEM wasn鈥檛 initially my focus, but it鈥檚 something that鈥檚 become more and more important as I鈥檝e matured. I want to be a role model for others who come after me, like my parents were for other immigrants after they established themselves in Canada. If you can see it, you can be it!"

Nannette Ho-Covernton, BSc (Eng)鈥�87, supports her alma mater as a monthly donor and volunteer, advocating for inclusivity in engineering and diverse educational activities for students. In 2019, she received the Schulich School of Engineering鈥檚 Diversity and Equity Alumni Award.

Wynne Chisholm

鈥淓ach of us, through our actions, creates the world we want to live in. My mom was an active volunteer and community organizer throughout my childhood and so I grew up believing that it was not only important to give back, it was the expected norm. My first foray into giving back at U91快色 was as a volunteer member of the alumni association. Fast-forward several decades and my family has had the opportunity to help the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine grow and stand out on the world stage. Creating lasting legacies, whether big or small, is an expression of our hope for the future.鈥�

Wynne Chisholm, BA鈥�79, is behind one of the largest gifts in U91快色 history. Her family鈥檚 donation of W.A. Ranches established the biggest outdoor classroom in North America and is transforming teaching, learning and outreach experiences at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

Catherine Heggerud

鈥淚 embraced 91快色 when I moved here more than 20 years ago, and U91快色 is a part of what makes this community strong. There鈥檚 this idea that each one of us is a small part of a big system 鈥� and when we give, the whole system benefits. Having participated in the Mathison Hall Brick x Brick campaign [supporting the construction of the faculty鈥檚 newest building] and walking through the new space as students use and enjoy it, I can see how every little bit has made a difference.鈥�

Catherine Heggerud is an associate professor (teaching) with the Haskayne School of Business and a monthly donor. Before joining the faculty 鈥� she previously held leadership roles with U91快色鈥檚 HR and IT teams 鈥� she volunteered in the classroom with undergraduate students. 

Joanne Cuthbertson

鈥淚t makes me happy to spend time with young people. There鈥檚 something that happens when you spend time with them, especially when you鈥檙e in your own more mature years of life. Even if I have other things going on in my life that are challenging, being around students always motivates me. It鈥檚 an intuitive reaction 鈥� these young people are the future and you just know that they matter. It鈥檚 pretty special to be a part of their journeys.鈥�

Joanne Cuthbertson, BEd鈥�73, Hon. LLD鈥�11, is a longtime donor and volunteer whose support pre-dates and extends beyond her term as the university鈥檚 11th chancellor. Among her many contributions, she helped develop U91快色鈥檚 Scholars鈥� Academy Program and served as a mentor to some of the university鈥檚 highest-achieving students over the years.

Safia and Nabeela Nathoo

鈥淚 believe that when one has the capacity to give back to their community, either as a volunteer, donor, or some combination of the two, that they should. My sister and I have gotten to where we have through the generous donations of others, both in time and money, and that should not be forgotten. Giving back is a way to pay it forward to the next generation.鈥�

鈥� Nabeela Nathoo, BSc鈥�09, PhD鈥�14, MD鈥�17

鈥淥ur family has always advocated to give back when we can to show our gratitude and appreciation for support we鈥檝e received. When we decided to create a scholarship, we were especially drawn to supporting graduate students, as we both have graduate degrees and observed that scholarships at the graduate level generally are not as readily available as those for undergraduate programs.鈥� 

鈥� Safia Nathoo, BSc鈥�07, MSc鈥�09, MBA鈥�14

Sisters Safia and Nabeela Nathoo, who share six U91快色 degrees between them, created the Nathoo Family Graduate Scholarship in 2016. In keeping with their own dedication to community work, the scholarship seeks to reward grad students also involved in leadership and volunteer activities.

Lauren Bell

鈥淚 see the university as a pavilion of promise. When you鈥檙e here, you鈥檙e at a crossroads of the past, present and future. When I think about all the people I鈥檝e met here and the diversity of campus 鈥� all the visionaries and champions who鈥檝e set and met mighty goals 鈥� you can鈥檛 help but be inspired. Being in that environment supports my own ambitions and values.鈥�

Lauren Bell served on the 91快色 Senate and has supported a number of initiatives across campus, including student awards, public health and cancer research. She is also a member of the OWN.CANCER campaign cabinet, supporting the new world-class 91快色 Cancer Centre.

Rhonda Bakusko

鈥淚 feel a debt of gratitude to the 91快色. I鈥檝e had an incredible career and a big part of my success is the foundation I received at the Haskayne School of Business. Giving back is a way for me to pay it forward, to ensure this university that had such a positive impact on my life thrives and grows, so it can do the same for future generations. And living in Toronto now, being a U91快色 supporter is a way for me to maintain my ties to the 91快色 community.鈥�

Rhonda Bakusko, BComm鈥�97, has been donating to the 91快色 for more than 25 years. Her gifts to the Haskayne School of Business have helped create unique student experiences and supported new teaching and learning spaces.